Oldest home in Manatee County hits market for $2.15M

A home that was built more than 150 years ago in Bradenton — making it Manatee County’s oldest house  — recently hit the market, according to Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, which is handling the listing. The property traces its origins to 1871, when boat builder Capt. Bartholomew “Tole” Fogarty began construction on the home near the Manatee River.

After the Great Depression, two world wars and years of deferred maintenance, the Bartholomew Fogarty house fell into disrepair until 2022, when a retired veterinarian began a two-year renovation project. Now the home sits on a new foundation and has been fully restored inside and out, according to the listing. David Windham Construction renovated the residence, which was originally built from reclaimed ship parts, adding air conditioning and reconfiguring the upper-level bedrooms to include en suite baths and walk-in closets.

Among the original features of the 19th-century home are the oak floors, interior doors and a wood spindle staircase. The 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath house spans three levels and has a new two-car garage. Highlights include the living room with coffered ceilings; primary suite on the second floor with a claw-foot tub; and a third-floor designed for children, with dormer-ceilinged bedrooms and a playroom, the release states.